California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a firm stance on the need for age regulations regarding social media access for young teens, citing personal experiences with his daughter and her friends as a catalyst for his concerns. At a recent event, Newsom shared his observations from a birthday party where he noticed all the children engrossed in their phones, completely disengaged from face-to-face interactions. His remarks emphasized a growing apprehension about the mental health of the younger generation, stating, “We have a generation that’s never been more anxious, less free, more stressed — and we have to address this issue.”
In a bid to combat these issues, Newsom is advocating for “age-gating” restrictions that would prevent teens under the age of 16 from having social media accounts. This initiative comes alongside a bipartisan effort from California lawmakers who recently introduced a bill aimed at establishing minimum age requirements for social media use, although the specific age limit has yet to be determined.
Newsom has pointed to other countries, notably Spain and Australia, which are making similar legislative moves. Spain has begun to implement measures that control youth access to social media, while Australia has already enacted laws prohibiting children under 16 from creating accounts. Expressing gratitude for the legislative debate on this matter, Newsom remarked, “I think it’s long overdue.”
The governor’s concerns are not unprecedented; he has previously signed numerous bills addressing social media and artificial intelligence, which included provisions for adding warning labels, increasing penalties for deepfake pornography, and other regulatory measures.
The urgency of this matter resonates within the judicial system as well, highlighted by a recent landmark trial in Los Angeles. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced intense questioning regarding the impact of social media on youth, particularly following a plaintiff’s allegations linking her social media use as a child to her struggles with addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Zuckerberg acknowledged that while Instagram bans users under 13, enforcing this policy proves challenging due to instances of users misrepresenting their ages.
This call for younger users to exercise caution around social media reflects an ongoing concern about the effects of digital platforms on youth mental health, and it seems likely that this discussion will continue to gain prominence within both legislative and social arenas. The hope lies in the potential for thoughtful regulations to create safer online environments for children, fostering healthier relationships with technology.